Universal Man: The Seven Lives of John Maynard Keynes

Published in time to mark the seventieth anniversary of the death of John Maynard Keynes, this thematic biography revives our understanding of the twentieth century's most charismatic and revolutionary economist, a man whose ideas continue to influence global finance today. John Maynard Keynes saved Britain from financial crisis twice over the course of two world wars and instructed Western industrialised states on how to protect themselves from revolutionary unrest.

The Accidental Billionaires: Sex, Money, Betrayal and the Founding of Facebook

The Accidental Billionaires is the inspiration behind the Oscar winning film, The Social Network, dramatising Zuckerberg’s success and proving you don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies… Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg – an awkward maths prodigy and a painfully shy computer genius – were never going to fit in at elite, polished Harvard. Yet that all changed when master-hacker Mark crashed the university’s entire computer system by creating a rateable database of female students.

Abraham Lincoln

For nearly 90 years, Lord Charnwood’s Abraham Lincoln has been the standard life history of the Great Emancipator. It has become one of the great classics of modern biography and has been read by millions.

Leadership & Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box

Most personal and organizational problems are the result of a little-known phenomenon called "self-deception". We deceive ourselves into thinking we're doing the right thing for the right reason, but people won't follow a leader whose motives are selfish. The tricky thing is, we don't know that our motivation is flawed. This audiobook explains what self-deception is, how people get trapped in it, how it undermines relationships and organizational achievement, and - most importantly - the surprising way to solve it.

Radicals: Outsiders Changing the World

Jamie Bartlett takes us inside the worlds of innovators, disruptors, idealists and extremists who think society is broken, and believe they know how to fix it. Radicals introduces us to techno-futurists questing for immortality, far-right groups seeking to close borders, environmentalists striving to save the planet, libertarian movements founding new countries, autonomous cooperatives in self-sustaining micro-societies and psychedelic pioneers attempting to heal society

The Age of Bowie

Respected arts commentator Paul Morley, one of the team who curated the highly successful retrospective exhibition for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, David Bowie Is..., constructs the definitive story of Bowie that explores how he worked, played, aged, structured his ideas, invented the future, and entered history as someone who could and would never be forgotten.

Roger Moore: À Bientôt...

Delivered to his publisher shortly before he passed away, in
À Bientôt, Roger looks back on his life - and gives it his trademark sideways glance, too. Nostalgic, funny, charming and most importantly, very human, his reflections on age and ageing encompass all aspects of this universal experience. The true stories he shares in this warm and intimate audiobook reveal a 'Bond Unbound,' the human being inside the action-adventure character that made him the star we will always remember him as.

Queens of the Conquest

In the first volume of this epic new series, Alison Weir strips away centuries of romantic mythology and prejudice to reveal the lives of England's queens in the century after the Norman Conquest. Beginning with Matilda of Flanders, who supported William the Conqueror in 1066, to the turbulent life of the Empress Maud, who claimed to be queen of England in her own right and fought a bitter war to that end, the five Norman queens emerge as hugely influential figures and fascinating characters.

Understanding Power: The Indispensable Chomsky

A major new collection from "arguably the most important intellectual alive" (The New York Times). Noam Chomsky is universally accepted as one of the preeminent public intellectuals of the modern era. Over the past thirty years, broadly diverse audiences have gathered to attend his sold-out lectures. Now, in Understanding Power, Peter Mitchell and John Schoeffel have assembled the best of Chomsky's recent talks on the past, present, and future of the politics of power.

Geronimo: His Own Story: The Autobiography of a Great Patriot Warrior

Here is one of the most extraordinary and invaluable documents in the annals of Native American history: the authentic testament of a remarkable "war shaman" who, for several years, held off both Mexico and the United States in fierce defense of Apache lands. During 1905 and 1906, Geronimo, the legendary Apache warrior and honorary war chief, dictated his story through a native interpreter to S. M. Barrett.

Rothstein

The model for
The Great Gatsby's Meyer Wolfsheim and Nathan Detroit from
Guys and Dolls, Arnold Rothstein was an underworld genius, racketeer, rumrunner, and mastermind who, as F. Scott Fitzgerald observed, played "with the faith of 15 million people with the single-mindedness of a burglar blowing a safe."

Surprised by Joy: C. S. Lewis Signature Classic

For many years an atheist, C. S. Lewis vividly describes the spiritual quest that convinced him of the truth and reality of Christianity, in his famous autobiography. "In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God...perhaps the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England." Thus Lewis describes memorably the crisis of his conversion.
Surprised by Joy reveals both that crisis and its momentous conclusion that would determine the shape of Lewis' entire life.

The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

The previous edition of this now-classic book revealed the existence and subversive manipulations of "economic hit men". John Perkins wrote that economic hit men (EHM) "are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder".

Citizen Clem: A Biography of Attlee

Clement Attlee was the Labour prime minister who presided over Britain's radical postwar government, delivering the end of the empire in India, the foundation of the NHS and Britain's place in NATO. Called 'a sheep in sheep's clothing', his reputation has long been that of an unassuming character in the shadow of Churchill. But as John Bew's revelatory biography shows, Attlee was not only a hero of his age but an emblem of it, and his life tells the story of how Britain changed over the 20th century.

A Life in Questions

The witty, incisive and frank memoir of the best-selling author of
The Victorians, Jeremy Paxman, whose career at the BBC included 25 years as the uncompromising presenter of
Newsnight. Covering insights on politicians of every stamp over the last half century, reporting from war zones, the state of the BBC, the role of journalism in our political system and much more, Jeremy Paxman's long-awaited and candid memoir is packed with opinions and good humour on every page.

The Diary of a Bookseller

Shaun Bythell owns The Bookshop, Wigtown - Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop. In these wry and hilarious diaries, Shaun provides an inside look at the trials and tribulations of life in the book trade, from struggles with eccentric customers to wrangles with his own staff. He takes us with him on buying trips to old estates and auction houses, recommends books and evokes the rhythms and charms of small-town life, always with a sharp and sympathetic eye.

Britain etc.: The Way We Live and How We Got There

Award-winning journalist and editor Mark Easton takes us on a tour around modern Britain, with a look at 26 subjects and how we relate to them. An Encyclopedia of British culture, Easton covers, in alphabetical order, a diverse list of topics including Alcohol, Beat Bobbies, Immigration, Knives and Murder, The Queen, Umbrellas... and many more!

Victorious Century: The United Kingdom, 1800-1906

To live in 19th-century Britain was to experience an astonishing series of changes, of a kind for which there was simply no precedent. There were revolutions in transport, communication and work; cities grew vast; and scientific ideas made the intellectual landscape unrecognisable. This was an exhilarating time but also a horrifying one. In his new book, David Cannadine has created a bold, fascinating new interpretation of the British 19th century in all its energy and dynamism, darkness and vice.

Alan Turing: The Enigma

It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that the British mathematician Alan Turing (1912-1954) saved the Allies from the Nazis, invented the computer and artificial intelligence, and anticipated gay liberation by decades--all before his suicide at age forty-one. This classic biography of the founder of computer science, reissued on the centenary of his birth with a substantial new preface by the author, is the definitive account of an extraordinary mind and life.

The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution

Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.

The Co-Op's Got Bananas: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Post-War North

Despite the struggle to make ends meet during the tough years of warfare in the 1940s and rationing persisting until the early 1950s, life could still be sweet. Especially if you were a young boy, playing football with your pals, saving up to go to the movies at the weekend, and being captivated by the latest escapade of Dick Barton on the radio. Chocolate might be scarce, and bananas would be a pipe dream, but you could still have fun.

The Korean War

On 25 June, 1950, the invasion of South Korea by the Communist North launched one of the bloodiest conflicts of the last century. The seemingly limitless power of the Chinese-backed North was thrown against the ferocious firepower of the UN-backed South in a war that can be seen today as the stark prelude to Vietnam.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

In August of 1914, the British ship
Endurance set sail for the South Atlantic. In October, 1915, still half a continent away from its intended base, the ship was trapped, then crushed in the ice. For five months, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men, drifting on ice packs, were castaways in one of the most savage regions of the world.

Belonging: The Story of the Jews: When Words Fail (1492-1900)

Belonging is a magnificent cultural history abundantly alive with energy, character and colour. It spans centuries and continents; from the Jews' expulsion from Spain in 1492, it navigates miracles and massacres, wandering, discrimination, harmony and tolerance, to the brink of the 20th century and, it seems, a point of profound hope. It tells the stories not just of rabbis and philosophers but of a poetess in the ghetto of Venice; a boxer in Georgian England; a general in Ming China; and an opera composer in 19th-century Germany.

Publisher's Summary

Against a richly detailed backdrop of history, the story of this unique American family unfolds. It begins with John D. Rockefeller Sr., who amassed a fortune amid the muck and disorder of the Pennsylvania oil fields and left his son to deal with the public outcry. It follows Rockefeller Jr. as he built the charities and foundations that made the name a public institution. And it tracks the lives of the 5 Rockefeller brothers. Here then is Laurance, clever and charming as a youth, burned out and cynical by middle age; Winthrop, the shy, awkward, black sheep who finally made a mark for himself in the eyes of everyone but his family; JDR3, introverted and anxious even after years of proving himself; David, a man on the move who took the nation's front-ranking bank and made it number 3; and Nelson, ambitious, aggressive, the brother who broke the unwritten family code.

Interesting listen. I was hoping for a few secretes but as the very last line clearly states, this book was heavily vetted. Authors very clever in some small passages though as they either immediately or at a latter point completely contradict aforementioned statements. eg: "The Rockefellers had no close ties with the communist Russians" Later "No Americans got the red carpet treatment in Moscow like the Rockefellers"

The book give us insight into the birth and rise of the Rockefeller family in an unbiased style. The book is trying to focus on the facts and not just display the family in one extreme. Althought the view they present us mosty positive, it’s justified by highlighting how much effort and money they spent on trying to rehabilitate the family’s image in the eyes of the masses, who don’t necessarily want or can understand the pressure they had on them simply because of the amount of money and power they controlled.

When I started reading the book, I was thrilled with the fact that I am reading about Mr. Rockefeller, the person who created Standard Oil. Little did I know that the book deals more with the lives of the other members of the Rockefeller family. The lives of John D Rockefeller (Senior as well as the Junior) is only around 40% of the entire book. It deals with the four generations of Rockfellers. I found the book a bit lengthy and at times boring as it went too much of detailing. Read it, keeping in mind that you are not only reading about the person who created Standard Oil, but about three generations on how the 'Oil Money' impacted their lives.

19 of 21 people found this review helpful

Roger

Cincinnati, OH, United States

29/03/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A hard listen"

This book was disappointing on a couple of levels. 1) the target was too broad and therefore the level of detail insufficient, 2) the presentation was the worst I have ever heard. Chronic editing problems where the performer spoke softly while reading the majority and then would get this blaring voice in voice-overs where he didn't. Further, the reading in my mind wasn't fully appropriate as he switched to his..."lesser" voice when reading quotes from certain people, certainly several of the Rockefellers, but also all women. The voice that is put on is whiny and unpleasant, which for the first many hours you think is his projection of an opinion of Jr., but later learn it's an artifact of the presentation which changes the emotional reaction to certain characters in an unfortunate way.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Womble Carlyle Sandridge Bell

Washington, DC

04/02/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A flashback to the '70s"

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Would not recommend.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The first and second chapters, covering the rise of John D. Rockefeller and "Junior" were very well done. The sections covering the third and fourth generation were much more diluted. The people were far less interesting and yet they were given as much attention as the truly great John D and Junior.

Did Michael Anthony do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, although I can't explain "how." I could always tell when and which character was talking.

Do you think The Rockefellers needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Hard to say whether or not a follow-up is necessary. At the time the book was written, the third generation was still mid-stream, and the whiny fourth generation were mid-stream in their self-absorption. If they accomplished anything worthwhile it might be worth hearing.

Any additional comments?

Audible needs to have "The Tycoons" available, as well as something along the lines of "The Men Who Built America."

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

Surrey, BC, Canada

19/09/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"I'd get Abrdiged next time"

Would you listen to The Rockefellers again? Why?

I thought it was good - lots of history - but by the 4th generation - well who are they and what are they doing - wasn't that interested - the first Guy and then the ones after for 2nd and 3rd generation up to lots! Too long - 32 hours or more - too much.

What other book might you compare The Rockefellers to and why?

I also did Carnegie - that's a lot of listening too! Was good though but too long.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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